Events

Date: 23 September 2026   Time: 14:00 - 15:00     

Location: G.O. Jones UG1

Title: The Dynamics of Proton Transport Processes at Bio-related and Biological Systems

Abstract: Proton transport is fundamental to many biological systems. For example, biological membrane surfaces are crucial in bioenergetic proton pathways, connecting proton producers to consumers, thereby expending Mitchell's chemiosmotic theory. Additionally, proton movement within proteins occurs during enzymatic activity, whether in transmembrane proteins involved in energy processes or soluble enzymes. In this presentation, I will share recent results from my group on new methods to observe proton transport dynamics in bio-inspired and biological systems. One approach involves light-activated fluorescent probes that attach to membranes and can either lose or gain protons when exposed to light. These are called photoacids and photobases. Using these synthesised probes, we examine whether the membrane or proteins act as proton acceptors or donors. We mainly use ultrafast fluorescence to study the immediate proton transfer between the probes and their environment, along with slower proton diffusion processes. Our second focus is bioelectronic measurements of proton conduction at the nanometer scale in bio-inspired systems. Although this technique does not exactly replicate biological conditions, it offers precise control over water molecules in the system, helping us understand their role in proton transport.

Academic Profile:

Prof. Nadav Amdursky. Chemistry, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, The University of Sheffield, UK.

Prof. Amdursky's academic journey started at Tel Aviv University, where he completed his B.Sc in Biotechnology in 2006. He continued in Tel Aviv for his PhD studies in an intriguing collaboration between Biology and Electrical Engineering, working on the optoelectronic properties of peptide structures. After graduating in 2011, he joined the Weizmann Institute for his first post-doc, Dept. of Materials & Interfaces, working on electron transport across proteins. For his second post-doc, he joined Imperial College London, Dept. of Materials & Bioengineering, to work on charge conduction across biological scaffolds. Even though his education was in Biology, Prof. Amdursky started his independent academic career as a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Chemistry in the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology in 2016.

In 2024, Prof. Amdursky decided to embark on a new adventure and joined the warm family of Chemistry within the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at Sheffield as a Prof. of Biophysical Chemistry.

Scholar

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